The film adaptation does not do enough justice for Tarr. He actually risked his life to get his info to London! One major point(from the book) that the film left out is Smiley reminding everyone to cable Paris and tell them that Tarr was on the "side of the Angels" and could come home a Hero!
shareTarr was one gutsy guy.
He didn't have to investigate Boris, but he did, almost on a lark.
He risked all for Irina and himself. Of course there was the matter of endangering Dani and her mother too. So, Ricky was putting everything on the line when "wired home".
There was a post on this board some time ago that suggested that the Ricky-Irina story would be worthy of its own film. I agree. I thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the wonderful performances by Susan Kodicek and Hywel Bennett.
There was a post on this board some time ago that suggested that the Ricky-Irina story would be worthy of its own film.
...the wonderful performances by Susan Kodicek and Hywel Bennett.
I liked him. The only problem I had was every time I saw him I couldn't help thinking of Shelley!
Tarr is good in both the series and the film adaptation, where he's played especially well by Tom Hardy. The problem with the way Hardy's version is depicted is that he's not as hard as Bennett's character is. Bennett comes off as a proper spy whereas Tom Hardy is set up as a love sick truant.
I've heard a number of people trounce Bennett in the TV version, and I've never understood why. I thought he was very good, and held his own quite well amongst performers of Guinness', Richardson's and the rest of the cast's calibre.
shareI actually liked Tarr more from viewing the show than reading the book.
From the book I imagined him as smarmy, like the way he kept making asides to Smiley when he gave his story. They cut most of that out in the adaptation and I think he comes off better for it.
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Tarr was a great character in "The Honourable Schoolboy", which I guess is fated to remain a novel only.
shareYeah, the part in Paris is very undersold. It's a real shame. I also just love Hywel Bennett, and have always been sad that he has so little to do.
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http://www.hedislimane.com/diary/day.php?m=8&y=2011&d=2
What is the Heidi Slimane diary doing here ibbi?
shareIt's my signature!
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http://www.hedislimane.com/diary/day.php?m=8&y=2011&d=2
Tell us about her! She's a walking picture gallery.
shareThis was my first time seeing Hywel Bennet and I thought he was brilliant in the role. He has a very commanding presence on screen. Having watched the series before reading the book, I took a much better view of his actions after watching the series, because in the book, it seems as if no one really likes him! Even Guillam, his boss, wants very little to do with him! I didn't get the sense that he was such a bad guy to be honest.
shareRicky was under a great deal of tension which he kept largly under control.
His usual job was trawling for double agents, but he must seem utterly charming while doing it. He must watch his mark closely, while seeming completely disinterested.
After the Irina incident, keeping out of sight of the Russians on his tail, he would be on high alert every minute, but must not appear concerned.
And what explains his character most to me is his comment about when Smiley interviewed him for recruitment into the Service. Speaking of his childhood he said:
"Daddy thought he could beat the sin out of me. But you knew better, didn't you Mr. Smiley? You knew he'd only beaten it further in!"
Anti-hero is a pretty good description of Tarr. He is more dislikeable in the book than in the TV series.
"Chicken soup - with a *beep* straw."